YOKOHAMA (Japan), Feb 25: Lilia Shobukhova took the lead in the opening section to help Russia to their second straight win in the Yokohama international women's road relay race on Sunday.

Shobukhova set a new course record of 14:45 seconds in the first five-kilometre section, allowing Russia to make a long solo run, crossing the finishing line in 2:14:48.

Galina Bogomolova also set a new course record of 31:08 in the second section, of 10km, with Lidia Grigoryeva, Maria Konovalova, Inga Abitova and Olesya Syreva completing the team.

Katie McGregor led the United States to second in 2:16:04, followed by hosts Japan, third in 2:16:07. Athens Olympic silver medallist Catherine Ndereba moved Kenya up to fifth place in the fifth section, but they were never able to go further, finishing in the same position in 2:19:18.—AFP